To My Daughter, Now that You are ONE

Belle, you’ve taken us on quite the journey this year. You started off as a little surprise in my belly that I thought was the stomach flu. But it was you sweet girl. Making your presence known. And you continue to keep surprising us each day with your spunk and spirit. You are the piece of our family puzzle we didn’t know was missing. But then you showed up, with your red hair like mine and blue eyes like your Gigi’s. And we all breathed a collective sigh of relief, knowing you were ours. And we were yours. And that with you, we were complete.

When my midwife put you on my chest the minute you were born you felt like a stranger to me. But I knew better. I knew it would feel this way…and that it would only last for a brief moment. Because that’s all it took. One simple moment for you to steal our hearts forever. One cry, one breath. Your eyes starring in to mine. And you were ours. You were mine. My last baby.

I know from experience how quickly I would become completely and irrevocably in love with you. And obsessed with you. I didn’t want to put you down. I didn’t want to escape the house and have some me time. I just wanted to be with you. I declared you the most perfect baby of all the babies. And considering I had two babies already, that was saying a lot. But it was true. You were perfect. You are perfect.

You have us all captivated. The four of us watch your every move, laugh every time you play peek-a-boo, fight over who gets to tickle you, and constantly bring you snacks. Lots and lots of snacks. You have us all wrapped around your little finger and I have a feeling that we will be wrapped forever. You are the baby of our family, and always will be. We all will bend over backwards to make sure you are happy. And you totally know it.

You are light and happiness and belly laughs. You are sunshine and rainbows. You are pure joy. You are a speed crawler and can not be left out of anything. You make your presence known. You are determined to never be over-looked. And if we are distracted by something else for even just a moment, you make it your mission to pull us back to you. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. You will walk for cookies. And the tv remote.

I always dreamed of having a sister, but now I get something even better. I get to watch you and Sadie be sisters to each other. And I get to teach you to value that relationship. Seeing your face light up when your big sister walks in to a room makes my heart skip a beat. I will never tire of that feeling. I will never stop reminding you how lucky you are to have a sister….even when she pushes you down and steals your toy.

And now you are one. I blinked and it happened. I thought I would cry but I didn’t. Because you were just so dang happy. Because every time you opened a gift you would look back at me to make sure I was watching you. And when you saw that I was, you would smile the biggest smile. My eyes will always be watching you my sweet girl. Even when I am seemingly busy and overwhelmed. Just look up, and I will be there. Forever.

I hope you always know how much you are loved. How much joy you have brought to my life. To all of our lives. You and your brother and sister are my greatest gifts. But shhh, don’t tell them. You are my favorite.

Carter’s has been with us from the start. The pajamas my sweet Belle wore the day we took her home from the hospital were Carter’s pajamas. I am keeping them forever. I know some day I’ll pull them out of the box and marvel at how small they are and how I can’t believe I ever had a baby that fit in to something so little.

Carter’s is the brand I turn to for my baby’s clothing because I trust that everything will be soft, durable, and cute. There is something perfect for all of their little firsts. Belle’s wardrobe got a little refresh for spring and I just love everything! Carter’s always has the cutest options!

I was hoping I would get that feeling of completeness after having my third and first boy and nope, I still ache for one more. One more pregnancy, one more birth and one more little baby for our entire family to love on! We all want just one more, except the husband isn’t quite ready just yet. Happy 1st Year sweet Annabelle!

I’m crying! I had (and still have) so many of the same feelings for my baby girl. I don’t have the words to express how wonderful it has been to watch you become a mother and to share in the lives of your beautiful children. Love you!

Hey there! Welcome to The Girl in the Red Shoes. I’m Julie, wife to Jon, and mama to three little redheads: Hudson, Sadie, & Annabelle. I LOVE celebrating the little things, chasing around my crazy crew, over-posting on Instagram, and blogging about daily life, keeping it real, and all things motherhood. So happy you’re here!